Daily Devotionals

'Every Day Light' with Selwyn Hughes

Devotional: September 2nd

For Reading and Meditation:
     Ecclesiastes 7:2-10

We continue looking at the rest of Solomon's comparative proverbs. Third, "It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting" (v. 2). Remember, wisdom always sees beneath the surface of things. Solomon means that you are more likely to come face to face with reality in a funeral parlor than a restaurant. And being unwilling to face reality is to be ill-prepared for dealing with life. Fourth, "Sorrow is better than laughter" (v. 3). Really? Yes, really. After a quick laugh, it's amazing how what we laughed about is so easily forgotten. It's not the same, however, with sorrow. Fifth, "It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools" (v. 5). We much prefer to listen to a song that's making its way up the charts than to listen to a rebuke, but in the long run the rebuke will do us the more good. Sixth, "The end of a matter is better than its beginning" (v. 8). The way things end is reality. The whole picture is on display. Fantasies are over; truth is all that can be seen. We ought to learn from that and be more realistic in our projections and aims. Seventh, "Patience is better than pride" (v. 8). Are you one of those who prays: "Lord, give me patience ... and give it to me right now!"? Beneath a patient spirit is a groundswell of wisdom. Pride pushes wisdom aside, and when that happens, then it is easy to play the role of a fool.

My Father and my God, I have gathered some wisdom on my journey through life, but now I pray for the kind of wisdom that is greater and sharper than all earthly wisdom - Your wisdom. Make me a wise person, my Father. In Jesus' Name. Amen.